Insulation
Low-E Glass
Definition: Low-E stands for Low Emissivity Glass, which is a type of glass with low emissivity.
Effect: Low-E glass, by coating with silver, reflects infrared thermal radiation and can reduce the K-value by 10% to 20%.
Classification by Light Transmittance: Low-E affects light transmittance, with less than 50% considered low transmittance, 50-70% medium transmittance, and over 70% high transmittance.
Market Preference in Home Improvement: There is a demand for natural light in home decoration, so the home improvement market mainly uses high transmittance Low-E. Due to the significant contribution of Low-E to insulation, many now believe that Low-E should become a standard feature, just like insulating glass.
Configuration of Low-E Glass
Offline and Online Low-E: Most of the Low-E glass we use now is offline Low-E, which is produced away from the original glass production line. It has a higher reflectivity compared to online Low-E. However, the downside is that the Low-E layer cannot be exposed to air as it would oxidize, so the side of the glass with the Low-E coating must be inside the insulating cavity.
Regional Selection: As illustrated, taking a double-layer insulating glass as an example, there are four surfaces from the outside to the inside, labeled a, b, c, and d. In the south, where outdoor temperatures are high, it is best to have the Low-E layer on surface b to reflect the outdoor heat primarily; in the north, where indoor heating is common and temperatures are higher, the Low-E layer is best on surface c to reflect the indoor heat back.
Having Low-E on both surfaces b and c provides minimal performance improvement and is almost never done. If you want to upgrade, you can increase from a single layer of Low-E (single silver Low-E) to a double layer of Low-E (double silver Low-E). Generally, a single silver is enough for the north, while the south might consider double silver, triple silver is unnecessary.
The Relationship Between TPSS and Argon Gas
Characteristics of TPSS: Moisture in the air can oxidize Low-E, and since TPSS does not have a desiccant, it cannot absorb moisture and must be filled with argon gas.
Seal Quality: TPSS has excellent seal quality, especially 4SG, which retains over 80% of the argon gas (initial argon content) for 25 years, making it the longest-lasting insulating glass known.
Argon (Ar): An inert gas that can reduce some heat convection, but its contribution to the K-value is relatively small, approximately 5% to 8%.
Sound Insulation
Laminated Glass: Also known as laminated glass, it was originally defined as safety glass, with safety features such as bullet resistance. The PVB interlayer used in laminated glass (dry lamination) also helps with sound insulation, with a single layer of PVB capable of absorbing approximately 30 decibels (dB) of sound.
Configuration: Triple-glazed, double-cavity glass already offers good sound insulation, suitable for most environments. If you have high requirements for sound insulation, you can use a combination of insulating and laminated glass, such as triple-glazed laminated with a single cavity, which balances sound insulation and thermal insulation. If you need to maximize sound insulation, you can also choose a configuration of quadruple-glazed with double lamination and a single cavity.
Configuration Reference
Here are three excellent sound insulation configurations for your reference:
Three-pane Insulating Glass
Sound Insulation Performance: Moderately High
Insulation Performance: Moderately Good
Safety: Average
Suitable Environment: General Noise Environment
Three-pane Laminated Insulating Glass with One Cavity
Sound Insulation Performance: High
Insulation Performance: Moderately Good
Safety: High
Suitable Environment: Balances Sound Insulation and Insulation
Four-pane Double Laminated Insulating Glass with One Cavity
Sound Insulation Performance: Extremely High
Insulation Performance: Moderately Good
Safety: Extremely High
Suitable Environment: Extreme Noise Environment
Appearance
Glass Type Selection
Clear Glass vs. Ultra-Clear Glass: Ultra-clear glass has a higher light transmittance, but the difference is not significant after Low-E treatment.
Considerations for Extra-Large Glass
Practicality and Cost-Effectiveness: Extra-large glass is not necessary, but appearance is important to some users.
Thickness and Price: Extra-large glass requires greater thickness, and the price increases with the thickness.
Self-Explosion Rate: Tempered glass has a self-explosion rate, which is higher for larger glass panels.
Solutions: Replace clear glass with ultra-clear glass, as ultra-clear glass has a lower self-explosion rate than clear glass.